Sales of Rolls-Royce cars hit a new record last year, although growth slowed considerably as strong demand in the Middle East and Europe outweighed weaker momentum in the UK and China.

The company shifted 3,538 cars across the world in 2012, its third consecutive annual record, although at just 1 per cent, sales growth was down on the previous years, when it was 150 per cent and 31 per cent .

Sales growth was particularly strong in the Middle East, where a 63 per cent surge in Saudi Arabia pushed up sales across the region by 26 per cent. Mainland Europe saw a 21 per cent increase.

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